I-7.00 POLICY ON PUBLIC ETHICS OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
REGENTS
(Approved by the Board of Regents, August 19, 1999; revised April 12, 2023)
A. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to comply with Section 12
of Senate Bill 682, Chapter 515 of the Laws of
Maryland, 1999, which requires that the Board of
Regents adopt a policy to govern the public ethics of
Regents, that such policy be consistent with all the
applicable provisions of Title 5, Subtitle 5 of the
General Provisions Article, which already governs the
Board of Regents, and that the policy include a
prohibition against a member of the Board of Regents,
for compensation, assisting or representing any party
in any matter before the General Assembly.
B. Policy
1. A member of the Board of Regents shall not, for
compensation, assist or represent any party in any matter before
the General Assembly.
2. Nothing in this policy prohibits the Secretary of
Agriculture from carrying out any responsibility of that
position.
3. Questions or concerns about compliance with this policy may
be brought to the Board of Regents Committee on Audit.
PUBLIC ETHICS POLICY GUIDELINES (Approved by the Board of Regents 10/27/2006)
A. Prohibited Conduct. A member of the Board shall not:
1. For compensation, communicate with an official or employee of the General
Assembly for the purpose of influencing legislative action, except as
provided in Section B, below.
2. Engage in any representation or assistance that may create a conflict of interest
or the appearance of a conflict of interest with the Board member's duties to
the University System of Maryland.
3. Intentionally use of the prestige of membership on the Board of Regents for the
Board member's gain or the gain of another party.
B. Conduct Not Prohibited. The following activities are permitted:
1. Communications with legislators that are conducted as part of one's
responsibilities as a member of the Board of Regents.
2. Contact with members or employees of the General Assembly that is directly
related to a Board member's own regular business, employment or profession,
provided that:
a. Contact with the legislature is an incidental part of one's business,
employment or profession; and
b. The contact is made in the manner customary for an employee in that position.
3. Professional assistance in drafting legislation, advising clients regarding the
construction or effect of proposed legislation, or other similar assistance that
does not involve contact with officials or staff of the General Assembly.
4. Appearances before the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly,
at the specific request of the legislative body.